WATER companies were condemned today as “a symbol for the failure of privatisation writ large” after polluting and profiteering operators announced another round of price increases.

Household water bills will rise by an inflation-busting 6 per cent on average this year, taking the annual average bill to £473.

But water companies continue to spew untreated sewage into rivers and coastal waters — and Lake Windermere has become another dumping ground.

The industry was privatised in 1989 when the Tory government abolished the 10 water authorities of England and Wales, which had been comprised of elected councillors.

Since privatisation water companies have paid out an estimated £60 billion-plus in shareholder dividends while also saddling themselves with debt.

Failure to invest in water supply networks has left water companies losing, on average, 20 per cent of their treated water supplies through leaking pipes.

While the increases announced today vary from company to company, Water UK — the industry trade body for England and Wales — said the average increase would be 6 per cent.

This compares to inflation which stands at 4 per cent.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The water companies are a symbol for the failure of privatisation writ large.

“Workers and their families are being ripped off yet again to bail out debts created by negligence and greed.

“Meanwhile, the regulator sits on its hands while sewage is pouring into our waterways.

“It is very clear to everyone except the politicians that we need an economic clean-up of our water supply as well as an environmental one.

“Privatisation of our critical infrastructure has failed. Now we need a grown-up conversation about owning our own energy and water.”

Unite represents workers in the water industry.

Publicly owned Scottish Water is to increase its charges by 8.8 per cent.

Scottish Labour Deputy Leader Jackie Baillie said: “The SNP should stand up for Scots and stop this massive increase from going ahead.”

In the Lake District, one of Britain’s most popular tourist destinations, campaigners are calling for a public inquiry into sewage dumping into Lake Windermere, which was contaminated by sewage from storm overflows 246 times in 2023.